run out of petrol

Running out of petrol is about as fun as a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere. If you do, your car will just stop dead because the fuel pump can't suck up any more juice. Restarting? Forget it, until you add fuel. It’s best to keep an eye on that fuel gauge or, for those who love living dangerously, set a mental alarm at 1/4 tank.

Common issues when running out of petrol include:

• Potential damage to the fuel pump due to overheating, since it relies on petrol for cooling.
• Air getting into the fuel lines, causing rough running or difficulty restarting.
• Fuel filter clogging if sediment from the tank gets sucked up.

Always carry a small jerry can if you’re venturing far from civilisation, or use resources like Tradingpost to find fuel nearby if stranded.